How the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Collaborates on Producer-Driven Research Priorities The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board plays a key role in supporting research that benefits cattle producers across the state. To better understand how research priorities are developed and evaluated, we spoke with Chance Clay, vice chair of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Research and Education Committee. Clay shed light …
USDA Releases Details on $12 Billion Bridge Payments for Farmers With the announcement of the $12 billion bridge payment program, farmers across the country now have clearer insight into how this financial assistance will be distributed. According to USDA, $11 billion of the total funding will go directly to producers of major row crops, offering short-term relief as growers navigate …
State Agriculture Commissioners Praise USDA Bridge Assistance Payments Following the Trump Administration’s announcement of USDA bridge assistance payments, state commissioners of agriculture across the Southeast are applauding the move as a critical lifeline for producers facing ongoing financial strain. Alabama Commissioner Rick Pate Applauds Critical Relief Rick Pate, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, commended the administration’s …
NCBA Highlights Concerns Over EAJA Abuse at Congressional Hearing The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing earlier this week examining the Abuse of the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). The session focused on how the law—originally designed to help citizens challenge federal actions—has shifted over time due to increased litigation from environmental groups. Testifying …
USDA Releases 2026 Baseline Acreage Estimates Earlier Than Usual In a rare move, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its baseline acreage figures for the 2026 crop year ahead of schedule this week. Typically, these projections are unveiled during the Ag Outlook Forum in February, but this year’s early release is raising eyebrows across the ag sector. Possible Government Shutdown …
The Missouri River: A Pillar of American Agriculture History Early Settlers and the Great Plains The Missouri River has played a pivotal role in shaping American agriculture and westward expansion. As Mark Oppold explains in an American Agriculture History Minute, early settlers who crossed the Mississippi River often found themselves facing the Missouri River as they entered the vast expanse …
CattleCon 2026: NCBA Announces High-Energy Keynote Speaker Lineup The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is gearing up for CattleCon 2026, and this year’s event brings exciting updates to the convention experience. We caught up with Kristen Torres with NCBA to learn what attendees can expect from the general sessions and the impressive roster of keynote speakers. According to Torres, one …
USDA Releases December 2025 Cotton Production Report for the Southeast The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released its December 2025 cotton production report, offering an updated look at national and Southeast regional crop conditions. According to the latest forecast, all U.S. cotton production is projected at 14.3 million 480-pound bales, up one percent from the …
USDA Announces $12 Billion in One-Time Bridge Payments for American Farmers President Donald Trump, joined by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bissett, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, Senator Deb Fischer, Senator John Hoeven, and Representative Austin Scott, has announced a major new effort to assist American farmers still struggling from years of …
Markets Focus on Federal Reserve as USDA Monthly Crop Report Takes Backseat Yesterday’s USDA monthly crop report (WASDE Report) entered a market environment already dominated by two major developments: the administration’s $12 billion farm aid package and expectations of another Federal Reserve rate cut. With financial markets laser-focused on interest rate movements, both Chicago grain traders and Wall Street placed …
